Hootie Johnson pleased with addition of women members

Hootie Johnson, Chairman Emeritus of Augusta National Golf Club, called today's addition of former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and South Carolina financier Darla Moore as the club's first women members "wonderful news."

"This is wonderful news for Augusta National Golf Club and I could not be more pleased," Johnson, a Columbia, resident, said in a statement to The State. "Darla Moore is my good friend, and I know she and Condoleezza Rice will enjoy the Club as much as I have." Moore and Johnson both have roots in South Carolina and banking.

Augusta National, which opened in 1932 and did not have a black member until 1990, is believed to have about 300 members. While the club until now had no female members, women were allowed to play the golf course as guests, including on the Sunday before the Masters week began in April.

The Associated Press contributed to this report

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